Gas valve unit

ABSTRACT

A gas valve unit includes a plurality of individually actuatable throttle sections which are arranged in parallel relation for setting a throughflow rate of a gas volumetric flow that is fed to a gas burner of a gas appliance. Each throttle section has a plurality of throttle points which are arranged in series, with the throttle points arranged in series having an opening cross section that increases along the series.

The invention relates to a gas valve unit for setting a gas volumetricflow that is fed to a gas burner of a gas appliance, in particular a gascooking appliance.

Gas valve units of said type are described for example in EP0818655A2and W02004063629 A1. Such gas valve units can be used to control the gasvolumetric flow fed to a gas burner of a gas cooking appliance in anumber of stages. The gas volumetric flow is then of a reproducible sizein each stage. The throughflow cross section of the gas valve unit as awhole and therefore the size of the gas volumetric flow are set byopening or closing certain open/close valves of the gas valve unit,thereby allowing or preventing the gas flow through certain throttleopenings.

A gas conversion option is also described in the patent application“Structure of a gas valve unit” (201002677), which had not yet beenpublished at the date of this application. If gas conversion is requiredwith such a gas valve unit, a cover plate must be released and removedfrom the valve housing of the gas valve unit. As the connection betweenthe valve housing and the cover plate is released, the valve bodiespress against the sealing plate, thereby allowing air into the system,so that it can be removed easily from the valve housing. The handleshaft remains connected to the valve housing in a fixed manner in thisprocess. When the cover plate has been removed, it is possible to takeaway the sealing plate, the pressure plate and the lower gasdistribution plate as individual plates or as a composite plate.

Present in the cover plate is an opening, which allows control of thenozzle plate used. Slight pressure through said opening onto the nozzleplate causes the nozzle plate including the sealing composite plate tobe pressed out of the cover plate attachments. The upper gasdistribution plate can remain in the cover plate. The nozzle plate canthen be removed and replaced for the conversion. Correspondinggeometries of the components only allow one incorporation option. Theplates are replaced in the cover plate in reverse order. This solutionhas the disadvantage that the cover plate must be disassembled beforethe change of gas type and must be reassembled after the change of gastype.

The object of the present invention is to provide a gas valve unit ofthe type mentioned in the introduction, with which components do nothave to be disassembled for gas conversion.

According to the invention this object is achieved in that the gas valveunit has a plurality N of individually actuatable throttle sectionsarranged in parallel for setting the throughflow rate of the gasvolumetric flow.

The plurality of throttle sections arranged in parallel allows differentthroughflow rates to be set, in particular as a function of thedifferent gas types.

In this process the throttle sections are combined appropriately indifferent ways by activating or deactivating the individual actuatablethrottle sections for gas conversion.

For example it is no longer necessary to replace nozzle plates whenconverting from natural gas to liquefied gas. It is also possible todispense with at least one type of nozzle plate, as multiple use ispossible within the nozzle plate. Because nozzle plate replacement isnot required and the fitting therefore does not have to be opened, noseal check has to be performed. It is also not necessary to disassemblethe switch strip of the gas valve unit for this reason. The plurality ofpossible combinations of throttle sections means that it is possible toset predefined gradations as required and thus to achieve the necessarysettings for any gas type. If for example the standard gradation is tooimprecise for the user or customer in the low output range, it ispossible to set a more precise gradation in the low output range withthe aid of a different throttle section or a different combination ofthrottle sections.

In one preferred embodiment the respective throttle section has aplurality M of throttle points arranged in series.

The throttle point can also be referred to as a throttle element,control element or control device.

In one preferred embodiment the throttle points arranged in series havean opening cross section that increases along the line.

It is thus possible to increase the connected load according to therotation angle of the actuation shaft. For example when converting backfrom liquefied gas to natural gas it is possible to achieve exactthroughflow values by means of the defined opening cross sections.

In a further preferred embodiment the respective throttle section has athrottle section switch for activating and deactivating the throttlesection.

The respective throttle section can be activated or deactivated by meansof the respective throttle section switch.

In one preferred embodiment the respective throttle section has aplurality M of throttle points arranged in series and a throttle sectionswitch connected downstream of the throttle points to activate anddeactivate the throttle section.

In a further preferred embodiment a trigger facility is provided totrigger the N throttle section switches. The trigger facility is set upto select a certain trigger profile of a plurality of predeterminedtrigger profiles for triggering the N throttle section switches as afunction of a gas type to be used. The trigger facility will alsotrigger the N throttle section switches with the selected triggerprofile.

The throughflow rate of the gas volumetric flow required for therespective gas type can therefore be set automatically by the triggerfacility.

In one preferred embodiment the gas valve unit has a plurality M ofvalve units. The ith valve unit here is set up to trigger the iththrottle points of the throttle sections (i∈[1, . . . , M]).

This means for example that all the first throttle points of thethrottle sections are triggered by the first valve unit, in particularare triggered at the same time.

In a further preferred embodiment the respective valve unit has a numberN of open/close valves. Here the jth open/close valve is set up totrigger the jth throttle section (j∈[1, . . . , N]). When the open/closevalve is closed, it rests on a valve seat. This closes an opening in thevalve seat. The valve seats of the open/close valves can be formed by acommon component, which is preferably formed by a valve sealing plate.

In a further preferred embodiment the N open/close valves of therespective valve unit can be actuated at the same time by actuating acontrol apparatus. The control apparatus is formed for example by amovable, magnetically active body, in particular by a permanent magnet.To open the open/close valve the blocking body is raised from the valveseat by means of the force of the permanent magnet arranged above orbelow the open/close valve counter to the force of the spring.

In the following the term “permanent magnet” is also used to representother magnetically active bodies. If the movement of the permanentmagnet is brought about manually by an operator, no electricalcomponents are required to switch the valve units, in particular theopen/close valves of the valve units. Alternatively the permanent magnetcan also be moved by means of any actuator, for example an electricmotor. The electric motor here is triggered by an electrical controlunit or control apparatus. This control unit allows the same gas valveunit to be actuated mechanically by the operator or by means of anelectrical actuator as required. During the production of cookingappliances gas valve units of identical structure can be combined bothwith mechanical user interfaces, for example rotary knobs, and also withelectrical user interfaces, for example touch sensors.

In one preferred embodiment the N open/close valves of the respectivevalve unit are formed by a blocking body, a spring acting on theblocking body and a number of separating walls to feed the gasvolumetric flow to the N throttle sections.

In a further preferred embodiment the N valve units can be activated inan additive manner by moving at least one magnetically active body, inparticular a permanent magnet, relative to the valve units.

In a further preferred embodiment a conversion facility for gasconversion is arranged in the region of the actuation shaft of the gasvalve unit. The conversion facility is configured as a screw forexample. The screw for converting the gas types can be positioned morecentrally on the handle shaft than with cone fittings.

The gas valve unit is in particular part of a manually actuated multipleposition device consisting of a valve part and an adapted ignitionprotection. Integrated in the valve part are in particular a handle orrotary knob, permanent magnets, valves, nozzles and seals. The handlecan be pressed in by light pressure and this actuates the ignitionprotection. The open/close valves or ferrite valves are pressed ontoseals in one or more gas-tight chambers by one or more resilientcomponents, thereby preventing the throughflow to the associatedopenings or seal openings. The resilient components or springs are heldin a cover that it positioned in a gas-tight manner.

A gas fitting for a gas appliance is also proposed, which has at leastone gas valve unit as described above.

A gas appliance is also proposed, which has a gas fitting as describedabove. The gas appliance is for example a gas oven.

Further advantages and details of the invention are described in moredetail based on the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the schematicfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic switching arrangement of a first embodiment ofthe gas valve unit in the switching position for city gas,

FIG. 2 shows a schematic switching arrangement of the first embodimentof the gas valve unit in the switching position for natural gas,

FIG. 3 shows a schematic switching arrangement of the first embodimentof the gas valve unit in the switching position for liquefied gas

FIG. 4 shows a schematic switching arrangement of the first embodimentof the gas valve unit in a further switching position for natural gas,

FIG. 5 shows a schematic switching arrangement of a second embodiment ofthe gas valve unit,

FIG. 6 shows a schematic switching arrangement of the second embodimentof the gas valve unit in a first switching position,

FIG. 7 shows a schematic switching arrangement of the second embodimentof the gas valve unit in a second switching position,

FIG. 8 shows a schematic switching arrangement of the second embodimentof the gas valve unit in a third switching position,

FIG. 9 shows a schematic switching arrangement of the second embodimentof the gas valve unit in a fourth switching position,

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the gas valve unit, looking at the lowerface of the sealing composite plate,

FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of the sealing composite plate, thenozzle plate and the upper gas distribution plate of a gas valve unit,

FIG. 12 shows a view of the upper face of the sealing composite platefrom FIG. 11 and

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of a cover plate with sealing compositeplate, nozzle plate and upper gas distribution plate of a gas valveunit.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show a schematic switching arrangement of the inventive gasvalve unit in successive switching states. They show a gas input 1, withwhich the gas valve unit is connected for example to a main gas line ofa gas cooking appliance. The gas provided for combustion is present atthe gas input 1 at a constant pressure, of for example 20 mbar or 50mbar. A gas line leading for example to a gas burner of the gas cookingappliance is connected to a gas output 2 of the gas valve unit.

The gas valve unit has a plurality N of individually actuatable throttlesections 3, 4, 5 arranged in parallel for setting the throughflow rateof the gas volumetric flow. The parallel throttle sections 3, 4, 5 arearranged between the gas input 1 and the gas output 2. N=3 in FIGS. 1 to4 but this should not be seen to restrict its general nature.

The respective throttle section 3, 4, 5 has a number M of throttlepoints 3.1-3.4, 4.1-4.4, 5.1-5.4 arranged in series. M=4 in FIG. 1 butthis should not be seen to restrict its general nature. Thus the firstthrottle section 3 has a first throttle point 3.1, a second throttlepoint 3.2, a third throttle point 3.4 and a fourth throttle point 3.5.The second throttle section 4 and the third throttle section 5 arestructured correspondingly. The throttle points 3.1-3.4, 4.1-4.4,5.1-5.4 have an opening cross section that increases along the line. Forexample the opening cross section of the throttle point 3.2 is thereforegreater than the opening cross section of the throttle point 3.1. Alsothe opening cross section of the throttle point 3.3 is greater than theopening cross section of the throttle point 3.2. The opening crosssection of the throttle point 3.4 is also greater than the opening crosssection of the throttle point 3.3.

The respective throttle section 3, 4, 5 also has a throttle sectionswitch 3.5, 4.5, 5.5 to activate and deactivate the correspondingthrottle section 3, 4, 5. For example the first throttle section switch3.5 is set up to activate and deactivate the first throttle section 3.

A trigger facility (not shown) in particular is provided to trigger thethrottle section switches 3.5, 4.5, 5.5. The trigger facility is set upto select a certain trigger profile of a plurality of predeterminedtrigger profiles to trigger the throttle section switches 3.5, 4.5, 5.5as a function of a gas type to be used and to trigger the throttlesection switches 3.5, 4.5, 5.5 correspondingly with the selected triggerprofile.

The gas valve unit also has a main throttle point 7 arranged downstreamof the parallel throttle sections 3, 4, 5 and a main valve unit 8arranged parallel to the throttle sections 3, 4, 5. The main valve unit8 can also be referred to as a main switching device.

The gas valve unit also has a plurality M of valve units 6.1, 6.2, 6.3,6.4 (M=4). As mentioned above N=3 in FIG. 1. Each valve unit 6.1, 6.2,6.3, 6.4 therefore has three open/close valves 6.1.1, 6.1.2, 6.1.3,6.2.1, 6.2.2, 6.2.3, 6.3.1, 6.3.2, 6.3.3, 6.4.1, 6.4.2, 6.4.3. Forexample the first valve unit 6.1 has a first open/close valve 6.1.1 totrigger the first throttle section 3, a second open/close valve 6.1.2 totrigger the second throttle section 4 and a third open/close valve 6.1.3to trigger the third throttle section 5. Generally the jth open/closevalve 6.1.1, 6.2.1, 6.3.1, 6.4.1; 6.1.2, 6.2.2, 6.3.2, 6.4.2; 6.1.3,6.2.3, 6.3.3, 6.4.3 is set up to trigger the jth throttle section 3-5,where j∈[1, . . . , N]. For example the first open/close valves 6.1.1,6.2.1, 6.3.1, 6.4.1 of the valve units 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4 trigger thefirst throttle section 3.

In the example in FIG. 1 all three throttle section switches 3.5, 4.5,5.5 are closed. The switching stages are therefore formed respectivelyin a common manner by the sub-rates of the three throttle sections 3, 4,5, before they flow unthrottled through the main throttle point 7. Thiscombination of throttle sections 3, 4, 5 represents the city gasvariant. City gas has the lowest calorific value and therefore requiresthe greatest throughflow rates.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic switching arrangement of the first embodimentof the gas valve unit in the switching position for natural gas. FIG. 2differs from FIG. 1 in that the third throttle section switch 5.5 forthe third throttle section 5 is open. With this combination of throttlesections 3-5 according to FIG. 2 the sub-rates of the gas throughflowrate are only formed by the first throttle section 3 and the secondthrottle section 4.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic switching arrangement of the first embodimentof the gas valve unit in the switching position for liquefied gas.According to FIG. 3 the first throttle section switch 3.5 is closed,while the second throttle section switch 4.5 and the third throttlesection switch 5.5 are open. Therefore with the combination in FIG. 3the sub-rate of the gas throughflow rate is only formed by the firstthrottle section 3. This setting represents the liquefied gas variant.

In FIG. 4 the first throttle section switch 3.5 is open, while thesecond throttle section switch 4.5 and the third throttle section switch5.5 are closed. With this combination the sub-rate of the gasthroughflow rate is formed by the second throttle section 4 and thethird throttle section 5. This setting can be used for a burner with agreater low combustion output, as for example for natural gas.

To summarize, the exemplary switching arrangement of the gas valve unitin FIGS. 1 to 4 shows that it is possible with selected combinations ofvalve units (switching devices) and throttle sections to set predefinedgradations for setting the throughflow rate of the gas volumetric flowas required and in a reproducible manner.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic switching arrangement of a second embodiment ofthe gas valve unit. The gas valve unit in FIG. 5 has a first throttlesection 3 and a second throttle section 4. The first throttle section 3has four throttle points 3.1-3.4. Correspondingly the second throttlesection 4 has four throttle points 4.1-4.4. The respective connectingsegments 3.6-3.9 in the first throttle section 3 and the correspondingconnecting segments 4.6-4.9 in the second throttle section 4 are shownschematically. The respective throttle section 3, 4 has an input segment3.10 or 4.10. Five open/close valves 6.1.1-6.1.5 are provided to triggerthe throttle sections 3, 4. Each open/close valve 6.1.1-6.1.4 forms twoswitching devices, one switching device for each of the throttlesections 3, 4. The open/close valve 6.1.5 has only one switching device,because it is the full combustion valve. The detailed view in FIG. 5also shows that the open/close valve 6.1.1 is formed by a blocking body12, a spring 13 acting on the blocking body 12 and a separating wall9.1. The separating wall 9.1 separates the channels to the inputsegments 3.10 and 4.10.

FIGS. 6 to 9 show the schematic switching arrangement of the secondembodiment of the gas valve unit in different switching positions. Theinput-side surface of the first four open/close valves 6.1.1-6.1.4 isdivided in each instance by a separating wall 9.1-9.4. The lastopen/close valve 6.1.5 is not divided with a separating wall, as theoutput-side gas is to flow directly to the gas output 2. Opening theopen/close valves 6.1.1-6.1.5 connects the gas input 1 in each instanceto a certain segment of the throttle sections 3, 4, into which the gasflows by way of the respective open open/close valve 6.1.1-6.1.5. As setout above, the throttle sections 3 and 4 comprise input segments 3.10and 4.10, into which the first open/close valve 6.1.1 opens. The furtheropen/close valves 6.1.2-6.1.5 each open into a connecting segment3.6-3.9 or 4.6-4.9 of the throttle sections 3 and 4. The transitionbetween the input segments 3.10 and 4.10 and the first connectingsegments 3.6 and 4.6 and the transitions between adjacent connectingsegments 3.6-3.9 and 4.6-4.9 are formed in each instance by a throttlepoint 3.1-3.4 or 4.1-4.4. The respective last throttle point 3.4 or 4.4connects the last connecting segment 3.9 or 4.9 to the gas output 2.

The throttle point 3.4 of the throttle section 3 can be closed with athrottle section switch 3.5 and also connects the last connectingsegment 3.9 to the gas output 2.

The open/close valves 6.1.1-6.1.5 are actuated in particular by means ofa permanent magnet 11, which can be displaced along the line ofopen/close valves 6.1.1-6.1.5. The force for opening the respectiveopen/close valve 6.1.1-6.1.5 is formed directly by the magnetic force ofthe permanent magnet 11 here. This magnetic force opens the respectiveopen/close valve 6.1.1-6.1.5 counter to the spring force of the spring13.

In the switching position according to FIGS. 5 and 6 only the firstopen/close valve 6.1.1 is open. The gas from the gas input 1 flowsthrough this first open/close valve 6.1.1 into the input segments 3.10and 4.10, passing from there through all the throttle points 3.1-3.4,4.1-4.4 and all the connecting segments 3.6-3.9, 4.6-4.9 on the way tothe gas output 2. The quantity of gas flowing through the gas valve unitin FIGS. 5 and 6 predetermines the minimum output of the gas burnerconnected to the gas valve unit.

FIG. 7 shows the switching arrangement in which the permanent magnet 11is displaced to the right in such a manner that both the firstopen/close valve 6.1.1 and the second open/close valve 6.1.2 are open.The gas from the gas input 1 flows through the open second open/closevalve 6.1.2 directly into the first connecting segments 3.6 and 4.6 andfrom there by way of the throttle points 3.2-3.4 and 4.2-4.4 to the gasoutput 2. The gas flowing to the gas output 2 therefore bypasses thefirst throttle points 3.1 and 4.1 because of the open open/close valve6.1.2. The gas volumetric flow in the switching position according toFIG. 7 is therefore greater than the gas volumetric flow in theswitching position according to FIGS. 5 and 6.

Gas is supplied to the first connecting segment 3.6 and 4.6 almostexclusively by way of the second open/close valve 6.1.2. Because theopen/close valves 6.1.1 and 6.1.2 are open, the same pressure levelprevails in the input segments 3.10 and 4.10 as in the first connectingsegments 3.6 and 4.6. Virtually no gas then flows out of the inputsegments 3.10 and 4.10 by way of the first throttle points 3.1 and 4.1into the first connecting segments 3.6 and 4.6. The gas volumetric flowflowing as a whole through the gas valve unit therefore remainsvirtually the same when the permanent magnet 11 is moved further to theright in the drawing, causing the first open/close valve 6.1.1 to closewhile the second open/close valve 6.1.2 remains open. Moving thepermanent magnet 11 to the right in the drawing causes the open/closevalves 6.1.3-6.1.5 to open successively. This increases the gasvolumetric flow through the gas valve unit in steps.

FIG. 8 shows the switching arrangement of the gas valve unit in whichthe permanent magnet 11 is displaced to the right in such a manner thatboth the first open/close valve 6.1.1 and the second open/close valve6.1.2 are open. In contrast to FIG. 7 the throttle point 3.4 is closedby the throttle section switch 3.5.

The gas from the gas input 1 flows through the open second open/closevalve 6.1.2 directly into the first connecting segment 4.6 and fromthere by way of the throttle points 4.2-4.4 to the gas output 2. Theother gas path leads from the open/close valve 6.1.2 into the firstconnecting segment 3.6 of the first throttle section 3 and from there byway of the throttle points 3.2-3.4. However the throttle point 3.4 isclosed by the throttle section switch 3.5 so no further gas can flow tothe gas output 2 by way of the connecting segment 3.9.

The gas flowing to the gas output 2 bypasses the first throttle points3.1 and 4.1 because of the open open/close valve 6.1.2. The gasvolumetric flow in the switching position according to FIG. 8 istherefore smaller than the gas volumetric flow in the switching positionaccording to FIG. 7. Gas is supplied to the first connecting segments3.6 and 4.6 almost exclusively by way of the second open/close valve6.1.2. Because the open/close valves 6.1.1 and 6.1.2 are open, the samepressure level prevails in the input segments 3.10 and 4.10 as in thefirst connecting segments 3.6 and 4.6. Virtually no gas then flows outof the input segments 3.10 and 4.10 by way of the first throttle points3.1 and 4.1 into the first connecting segments 3.6 and 4.6. The gasvolumetric flow flowing as a whole through the gas valve unit thereforeremains virtually the same when the permanent magnet 11 is moved furtherto the right, causing the first open/close valve 6.1.1 to close whilethe second open/close valve 6.1.2 remains open.

FIG. 9 shows the switching arrangement of the gas valve unit in themaximum open position. Here the permanent magnet 11 is in its endposition on the right side as illustrated in the drawing. The lastopen/close valve 6.1.5 is open when the permanent magnet 11 is in thisposition. The gas then flows directly from the gas input 1 into the lastconnecting segments 3.9 and 4.9 to the gas output 2. The position of thethrottle section switch 3.5 does not influence the gas flow here.

In the example in FIGS. 5 to 9 the permanent magnet 11 and thecomponents of the open/close valves 6.1.1-6.1.5 are matched to oneanother in such a manner that when the gas valve unit is open eitherjust one open/close valve 6.1.1-6.1.5 or just two open/close valves6.1.1-6.1.5 are open. The switching behavior described above can also beachieved with other components and facilities, for example mechanically,electrically, pneumatically, hydraulically or combinations thereof.

During switching from one open/close valve 6.1.1-6.1.4 to an adjacentopen/close valve 6.1.2-6.1.5, both adjacent open/close valves6.1.1-6.1.5 are open for a short period. This ensures that switchingdoes not result in brief interruption of the gas supply to the gasburner and therefore flickering or extinguishing of the flames. Theswitching position described above also ensures that the gas volumetricflow does not increase briefly during a switching operation. This alsoreliably prevents flaring of the gas flames during the switchingoperation.

FIG. 10 also shows an embodiment of the gas valve unit. FIG. 10 inparticular shows the cover plate 14 with integrated sealing compositeplate and integrated nozzle plate. The sealing composite plate can bemade up of individual parts consisting of the valve sealing plate, thepressure plate and the lower gas distribution plate. FIG. 10 also showsthe separating walls 9.1-9.8 of eight open/close valves. The fullcombustion valve 21 has no separating wall.

FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of the sealing composite plate 15, thenozzle plate and the upper gas distribution plate 16. The path 18 of thegas flow from the low combustion position 17 to the gas output 2 isshown schematically in FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 shows the view of the upper face of the sealing composite platefrom FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of a cover plate 14 with the sealingcomposite plate 15, the nozzle plate 22 and the upper gas distributionplate 16 of a gas valve unit. It is also possible for the sealingcomposite plate 15 to be made up of individual parts, for example thesealing plate 15.1, the pressure plate 15.2 and the lower gasdistribution plate 15.3. FIG. 13 also shows a screw 19 in the region ofthe opening of the actuation shaft 20 of the gas valve unit. The screw19 is set up for gas conversion purposes. When the screw 19 is screwedin up to the screw collar, the diaphragm seal below rests in a sealingmanner on the nozzle plate 22, thus preventing the gas flow by thispath.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

1 Gas input

2 Gas output

3 First throttle section

3.1-3.4 Throttle points of the first throttle section

3.5 Throttle section switch of the first throttle section

3.6-3.9 Connecting segment

3.10 Input segment

4 Second throttle section

4.1-4.4 Throttle points of the second throttle section

4.5 Throttle section switch of the second throttle section

4.6-4.9 Connecting segment

4.10 Input segment

5 Third throttle section

5.1-5.4 Throttle points of the third throttle section

5.5 Throttle section switch of the third throttle section

6.1 First valve unit

6.1.1-6.1.5 Open/close valve

6.2 Second valve unit

6.2.1-6.2.3 Open/close valve

6.3 Third valve unit

6.3.1-6.3.3 Open/close valve

6.4 Fourth valve unit

6.4.1-6.4.4 Open/close valve

7 Main throttle point

8 Main valve unit

9.1-9.8 Separating wall

10 Gas input chamber

11 Permanent magnet

12 Blocking body

13 Spring

14 Cover plate

15 Sealing composite plate

15.1 Sealing plate

15.2 Pressure plate

15.3 Lower gas distribution plate

16 Upper gas distribution plate

17 Low combustion position

18 Path

19 Screw

20 Opening for actuation shaft

21 Full combustion valve

22 Nozzle plate

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A gas valve unit, comprising a plurality ofindividually actuatable throttle sections arranged in parallel relationfor setting a throughflow rate of a gas volumetric flow that is fed to agas burner of a gas appliance.
 16. The gas valve unit of claim 15,constructed for use in a gas cooking appliance as the gas appliance. 17.The gas valve unit of claim 15, wherein each said throttle section has aplurality of throttle points arranged in series.
 18. The gas valve unitof claim 17, wherein the throttle points arranged in series have anopening cross section that increases along the series.
 19. The gas valveunit of claim 15, wherein each said throttle section has a throttlesection switch for activating and deactivating the throttle section. 20.The gas valve unit of claim 15, wherein each said throttle section has aplurality of throttle points arranged in series and a throttle sectionswitch arranged downstream of the throttle points to activate anddeactivate the throttle section.
 21. The gas valve unit of claim 19,further comprising a trigger facility configured to trigger the throttlesection switches of the throttle sections and to select a certaintrigger profile of a plurality of trigger profiles for triggering thethrottle section switches as a function of a gas type to be used and totrigger the throttle section switches with the selected one of thetrigger profiles.
 22. The gas valve unit of claim 20, further comprisinga trigger facility configured to trigger the throttle section switchesof the throttle sections and to select a certain trigger profile of aplurality of trigger profiles for triggering the throttle sectionswitches as a function of a gas type to be used and to trigger thethrottle section switches with the selected one of the trigger profiles.23. The gas valve unit of claim 17, further comprising a plurality ofvalve units, with an ith one of the valve units being configured totrigger an ith one of the throttle points of the throttle sections,wherein i∈[1, . . . , M], with M being the plurality of valve units. 24.The gas valve unit of claim 23, wherein each said valve unit has anumber of open/close valves, with an jth one of the open/close valvesbeing configured to trigger an jth one of the throttle section, wherej∈[1, . . . , N], with N being the number of open/close valves.
 25. Thegas valve unit of claim 24, further comprising a control apparatusconfigured to actuate the open/close valves of the valve unit at a sametime.
 26. The gas valve unit of claim 24, wherein the number ofopen/close valves of the valve unit is formed by a blocking body, aspring acting on the blocking body and a number of separating walls tofeed the gas volumetric flow to the throttle sections.
 27. The gas valveunit of claim 23, further comprising at least one magnetically activebody configured for movement relative to the valve units to activate thevalve units in an additive manner.
 28. The gas valve unit of claim 27,wherein the at least one magnetically active body is a permanent magnet.29. The gas valve unit of claim 15, further comprising a conversionfacility configured for gas conversion is in a region of an actuationshaft of the gas valve unit.
 30. The gas valve unit of claim 29, whereinthe conversion facility is a screw.
 31. A gas fitting, comprising atleast one gas valve unit, said gas valve unit including a plurality ofindividually actuatable throttle sections arranged in parallel relationfor setting a throughflow rate of a gas volumetric flow that is fed to agas burner of a gas appliance.
 32. The gas fitting of claim 31, whereinthe gas valve unit is constructed for use in a gas cooking appliance asthe gas appliance.
 33. The gas fitting of claim 31, wherein each saidthrottle section has a plurality of throttle points arranged in series.34. The gas fitting of claim 33, wherein the throttle points arranged inseries have an opening cross section that increases along the series.35. The gas fitting of claim 31, wherein each said throttle section hasa throttle section switch for activating and deactivating the throttlesection.
 36. The gas fitting of claim 31, wherein each said throttlesection has a plurality of throttle points arranged in series and athrottle section switch arranged downstream of the throttle points toactivate and deactivate the throttle section.
 37. The gas fitting ofclaim 35, wherein the gas valve unit includes a trigger facilityconfigured to trigger the throttle section switches of the throttlesections and to select a certain trigger profile of a plurality oftrigger profiles for triggering the throttle section switches as afunction of a gas type to be used and to trigger the throttle sectionswitches with the selected one of the trigger profiles.
 38. The gasfitting of claim 36, wherein the gas valve unit includes a triggerfacility configured to trigger the throttle section switches of thethrottle sections and to select a certain trigger profile of a pluralityof trigger profiles for triggering the throttle section switches as afunction of a gas type to be used and to trigger the throttle sectionswitches with the selected one of the trigger profiles.
 39. The gasfitting of claim 33, wherein the gas valve unit includes a plurality ofvalve units, with an ith one of the valve units being configured totrigger an ith one of the throttle points of the throttle sections,wherein i∈[1, . . . , M], with M being the plurality of valve units. 40.The gas fitting of claim 39, wherein each said valve unit has a numberof open/close valves, with an jth one of the open/close valves beingconfigured to trigger an jth one of the throttle section, where j∈[1, .. . , N], with N being the number of open/close valves.
 41. The gasfitting of claim 40, wherein the gas valve unit includes a controlapparatus configured to actuate the open/close valves of the valve unitat a same time.
 42. The gas fitting of claim 40, wherein the number ofopen/close valves of the valve unit is formed by a blocking body, aspring acting on the blocking body and a number of separating walls tofeed the gas volumetric flow to the throttle sections.
 43. The gasfitting of claim 39, wherein the gas valve unit includes at least onemagnetically active body configured for movement relative to the valveunits to activate the valve units in an additive manner.
 44. The gasfitting of claim 43, wherein the at least one magnetically active bodyis a permanent magnet.
 45. The gas fitting of claim 31, wherein the gasvalve unit includes a conversion facility configured for gas conversionis in a region of an actuation shaft of the gas valve unit.
 46. The gasfitting of claim 45, wherein the conversion facility is a screw.
 47. Agas appliance, comprising a gas fitting including at least one gas valveunit, said gas valve unit having a plurality of individually actuatablethrottle sections arranged in parallel relation for setting athroughflow rate of a gas volumetric flow that is fed to a gas burner ofa gas appliance.
 48. The gas appliance of claim 47, constructed in theform of a gas oven.